Paris' Coolest

PARIS has invested in the relaunch of the Cité de la Mode et du Design - an industrial space dedicated to fashion and design, which so far has been solely notable for housing the IFM fashion school. The challenge? Breathe life into a place that is far away from the fashionable epicentre and thus rather out of style, by exhibiting an audacious mix of big industry names and emerging designers.

Right next to the exhibition space, the boutique PGL by Pigalle, Lsd Edition - a declination of Stéphane Ashpool's hyped boutique Pigalle - proposes a smart mix of high-fashion, streetwear and a selection of its own menswear line, while young designer Yiqing Yin gives us an insight into her work, with her atelier-boutique just around the corner.

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"Before opening the boutique, I was not especially excited about the location itself, but its raw aesthetics appealed to me and especially the challenge of creating a cultural space for fashion and design in a neighbourhood where there is little to see," Ashpool explained. "I strongly believe that we can make the best out of this place. A few years ago, nobody would go shopping around Pigalle, as the area had a bad reputation, but now everybody is crazy about it!"

To fully express its main purpose of mixing young and established designers, the Cité de la Mode et du Design collaborated with the Galliera Museum to introduce to Rei Kawakubo's spring/summer 2012White Drama Commes des Garcons collection; and to pay homage to Balenciaga's genius with Cristobal Balenciaga, Collector of Fashions. While Kawakubo's pure whiteness sets a serene attitude - showcasing her masterful wedding gowns with her reputed dramatical twist - the exhibition dedicated to Cristobal Balenciaga gives us a deep insight into his fashion collection of items from the 18th, 19th and 20th Century, which rubbed off on his mesmerising couture pieces; inspired by traditional Spanish folklore and the strict beauty of ceremonial robes.

"The relaunch of the Cité de la Mode et du Design is all about showcasing an intriguing melting pot of fashion history, established brands and emerging talents. It is therefore a highly educative cultural space, whether for fashion students, professionals or amateurs," Olivier Saillard, the esteemed curator and director of the Galliera Museum - who curated both exhibitions, running until October 7 - told us.

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And even if we still have to wait till early June for the infamous Le Baron club to launch a new event space on the rooftop of the building - rumours have it that it will be Paris' new favourite spot for ready-to-wear shows - Charaf Tajer's Café Praliné already serves the finest cuisine for hungry fashionistas.